The disappearance of 25-year-old FIFO worker William Carter has captivated Perth and beyond, with a timeline that once baffled investigators now reshaped by a forgotten witness account. Carter, a young man from Kelmscott, was dropped off at Perth Airport’s Terminal 3 by his mother, Jenny O’Byrne, around 12:40 p.m. on December 6, 2025. He was scheduled to board a flight to Karratha for his next mining shift, but he never checked in. Instead, about 30 minutes later, he hailed a taxi and headed to Trigg Beach in the city’s northern suburbs, arriving around 2:40 p.m. Initial reports placed his last sighting near the local surf club on West Coast Drive, but a overlooked detail has emerged, painting a more haunting picture of his final hours.

A witness, whose account was initially dismissed amid the chaos of the search, has come forward with a sighting that extends the timeline. They reported seeing Carter alone on the beach, moving slowly along the shoreline as the afternoon light began to fade, around 3:05 p.m. He was heading north, dressed in a black t-shirt, shorts, and black-and-white sneakers, carrying a small backpack. This “forgotten” observation, not logged in early police reports, suggests Carter lingered longer than thought, perhaps deep in contemplation. It doesn’t align with his upbeat breakfast with his mother that morning, where he posed for a smiling photo before the drop-off. Why detour to the beach instead of flying? The witness recalled an air of solitude, noting Carter seemed lost in thought, adding layers to what was already a puzzling vanishing act.

Carter’s family described him as going through a “situational crisis,” with underlying mental health concerns that may have played a role. His mother later spoke of the heartbreak, thanking the community for support while decrying unauthorized GoFundMe pages set up in his name. The search, spanning 10 days, involved police combing coastal areas, but the mystery deepened when his body was discovered on December 16. Formal identification confirmed it was Carter, and authorities ruled the death non-suspicious, preparing a report for the coroner. Yet, questions linger: What prompted the beach visit? Was it a spontaneous escape from the pressures of FIFO life, known for its isolation and stress?

FIFO workers like Carter often face grueling schedules—weeks on remote sites followed by brief home stints—leading to burnout and emotional strain. Friends noted his enthusiasm for the job, but the abrupt change in plans hints at unspoken turmoil. The forgotten witness’s detail has sparked speculation online, with social media buzzing about potential foul play or hidden motives, though police maintain no evidence of that. As daylight faded that Saturday, Carter’s solitary figure on the sand may have been his final bid for peace.

This case underscores the hidden struggles in Australia’s mining industry, where mental health resources are crucial. Carter’s story, from airport farewell to beach solitude, now makes tragic sense, but the “why” remains elusive, deepening the enigma even after closure. His family’s plea for dignity amid grief reminds us of the human cost behind the headlines.